Top 15 Things to Do in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

Welcome to a charismatic river town in southeast Missouri with a unique blend of history, natural beauty, charm and entertainment. Here are the 15 best things to do in Cape Girardeau MO:

1. Enjoy the Great Outdoors.

If you visit Cape Girardeau during spring (March to May), stop by Pinecrest Azalea Gardens, to witness thousands of vivacious blooming flowers. You can walk or drive through the free enchanting garden.

Pro Tip: The garden blooms from March 15th – May 15th. 

Where: 799 Torre Lane, Oak Ridge, Missouri

Pinecrest Azalea Gardens Cape Girardeau
Not quite peak season, but still beautiful at Pinecrest Azalea Gardens, one of the top things to do in Cape Girardeau during springtime!

Trail of Tears State Park is a public recreation area that provides an opportunity to get out in nature. 

It’s a beautiful park with a beach, hiking trails, fishing, camping and scenic bluff views overlooking the Mississippi River.

There are five popular hiking trails within Trail of Tears State Park:

  • Peewah Trail – Red Loop: 6.2-mile moderate trail into a remote and rugged section of the park.
  • Peewah Trail – Yellow Loop: 3.9-mile moderate trail that follows the ridgeline overlooking the Mississippi River. 
  • Sheppard Point Trail: 3-mile moderate trail that climbs to a bluff with an overlook of the river below. 
  • Lake Boutin Trail: 2.2-mile easy loop around the lake. 
  • Nature Trail: .7-mile easy loop trail behind the visitor center. 

Make sure to stop in the park’s visitor center to learn about the sad connection to the Cherokee Indian groups that were relocated here in the 1800s. 

Lake Hiking Trail at Trail of Tears State Park
Lake at Trail of Tears State Park

The Conservation Nature Center is another hiking area that has 2.5 miles of trails through rolling hills with ravines and sinkholes. 

The Cape Rock Scenic Overlook offers beautiful views of the Mississippi River and celebrates the location wherein 1733 the area was used as a temporary trading post. 

The original cape, a piece of land that jutted over the river for which it received its name, was destroyed during railroad construction but you can still visit the historic site. 

The Cape Rock Scenic Overlook is one of the free things to do in Cape Girardeau, MO.
What river runs through Cape Girardeau MO? The Mississippi River and you can get a great view at the Cape Rock Scenic Overlook.

2. Learn a thing or two by checking out the colorful murals.

Along the Mississippi floodwall, you’ll discover the Mississippi River Tales Mural, an interesting 24-panel mural depicting Cape Girardeau’s storied past.

There are signs describing in detail what each mural represents along with an audio tour that can be reached by cell phone. 

Historic Cape Girardeau
Another one of the free things to do in Cape Girardeau, MO is to explore the Mississippi River Tales Mural.

Rush Limbaugh, Mark Twain, Jesse James, and Harry Truman are just a few of the people you’ll recognize on the Missouri Wall of Fame.  

The mural is right next to the Mississippi River Tales and has many influential people that were either born in Missouri or lived there at some point like Dale Carnegie (author of How to Win Friends and Influence People), T.S. Eliot (poet), and Laura Ingalls Wilder (author of Little House on the Prairie series).

RELATED: CAPE GIRARDEAU WAS NAMED PRETTIEST TOWN IN MO
CLICK HERE TO SEE THE OTHER TOWNS

3. Wear your stretchy pants and pig out.

There are many great places to eat in Cape Girardeau. We loved the authentic Irish feel at Katy O’Ferrells, the Cajun cuisine at Broussard’s and the giant onion rings at Port Cape Girardeau.

Lunch at Katy O'Ferrells, one of the best places to eat in Cape Girardeau.
We always manage to find an Irish pub! Katy O’Ferrell’s, open for lunch and dinner, is the perfect place to eat in Cape Girardeau and to enjoy a few drinks.
If you are looking for romantic things to do in Cape Girardeau MO for couples, add dinner at Broussard's, to your itinerary.
Can you say YUMMY at Broussard’s! The mardi gras-themed restaurant knows how to throw down on Cajun cuisine.
Lunch at Port Cape Girardeau, one of the best places to eat in Cape Girardeau.
I think the onion rings were the same size as my head at Port Cape Girardeau.

READ NEXT: DO YOU ENJOY HISTORY?
HERE ARE ALL THE COOL HISTORIC SPOTS IN CAPE GIRARDEAU

4. Sit back and relax while sipping on a glass of wine.

If you’re in search of things to do in Cape Girardeau for adults, a short drive away from downtown is a few winery options. Hunter Valley Winery is close to the Trail of Tears State Park and offers a patio overlooking a serene pond with live music on most weekends.

Apple Creek Winery has music on Sundays and a quaint wrap-around deck overlooking a pastoral landscape.

Follow the lovely tree-lined path, past adorable donkeys right into Steele Crest Winery. The indoor tasting room is decorated with elaborate stained glass and the patio overlooks peaceful green pastures.

Steele Crest Winery, one of the best things to do in Cape Girardeau for adults.
The drive up to Steele Crest Winery in Cape Girardeau.
Top things to do in Cape Girardeau includes visiting one of the many wineries in the area.
Trip ideas in MO for couples: Cape Girardeau for wineries, gambling, and hiking.

5. Tango with Lady Luck.

Like to gamble? We do! It’s our guilty pleasure.

Another fun thing to do in Cape Girardeau for adults is to visit Century Casino. It has slots, table games and live entertainment.

Isle Casino Cape Girardeau
I won $120 at Century Casino Cape Girardeau right after I took this. Coincidence? I think not!

6. Walk around downtown Cape Girardeau.

Cape Girardeau’s downtown is brimming with charm. Coming from Chicago, “downtown” means loud car horns and herds of people. Don’t get me wrong, I love the city and its vivaciousness, but there’s nothing like strolling down a quiet street dotted with budding flowers and boutique shops. 

 “In 2015, Old Town Cape received the Great American Main Street Award® from the National Main Street Center. This recognition is bestowed on Accredited Main Street Communities that serve as the nation’s best examples of comprehensive commercial district revitalization.”

Downtown Cape Girardeau's Main Street
Main Street in Cape Girardeau, Missouri

7. Sample beers at a local brewery.

Minglewood Brewery is right downtown and offers a wide menu along with stellar beers. 

With the lights hanging from the high ceiling, the brewery has an outdoor patio feel even though the room is surrounded by brick. We sampled a few, but we both landed on an IPA for our beer of choice.

Sample craft beer at Minglewood Brewery, one of the many things to do in Cape Girardeau for adults.
Sampling craft beer at Minglewood Brewery in Cape Girardeau, Missouri.
Indoor seating at Minglewood Brewery, one of the breweries in Cape Girardeau MO
Loved the indoor space at Minglewood Brewery!

Since our visit, Ebb & Flow Fermentation has opened on Spanish Street, offering an assortment of unique beers and a big outdoor patio. 

8. Imagine life on the Mississippi.

Cape offers many outstanding vantage points of Ol’ Man River.

Standing on the riverfront, with the Mississippi water rolling up almost to my feet, eye-level with barges idly meandering by, it’s effortless to picture the adventures that Mark Twain brought to life in his books.

To indulge in more history, stop by the Cape River Heritage Museum.

Visit Cape Girardeau
Just imagine what it was like back in the day on the Mississippi River. 

9. See where “Gone Girl” was filmed.

Cape Girardeau provided the main filming location for the fictional town of North Carthage for the movie, “Gone Girl.” The crew spent six weeks filming in Cape and there is now a drive/walk tour you can follow to all the sites.

Even if you don’t follow along, a few of the major locations from the movie are right in town: the riverfront, The Bar that Ben Affleck’s character owned in the movie and the courthouse gazebo where the candlelight vigil is held.

Visit Cape Girardeau
Where’s Ben? I don’t see him! The Bar is just one filming location in Cape Girardeau for the movie, “Gone Girl.”

10. Go back to your good ole college days.

Home to Southeast Missouri State University, it’s likely you’ll get the youthful vibe wandering around Cape. A popular event is First Friday with the Arts, held the first Friday of each month. Galleries extend their hours and open their doors to welcome the community.

Among the art galleries, studios, and entertainment venues that pepper the area is the Donald C. Bedell Performance Hall, located at the River Campus, which hosts theater productions, music performances, and more.

Visit Cape Girardeau
Like you’ve never done it before! One of the bars in Cape Girardeau is at Port Cape which served as Ulysses S. Grant’s headquarters for a short period of time during the Civil War.

11. Have some family fun.

Plunge into the deep end or float on a lazy river at Cape Splash Family Aquatic Center, explore one of many interactive exhibits at Discovery Playhouse, or see an exotic animal at Lazy L Safari Park.

12. Play disc golf.

What is disc golf you might ask? Only the best game ever, according to some people from Cape!

It is basically frisbee golf. You play on a well-kept course where you throw a disc into a basket. The game is played in about 40 countries worldwide. Cape Girardeau has two parks with disc golf courses: Cape County North and Capaha Park.

Cape County Park
Cape County Park

13. See peacocks at a cemetery.

What’s that now? We were driving by the Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery and noticed an unusual tower at the entrance. We took a detour and found one of the strangest things we’ve ever found at a graveyard: peacocks!

There’s no sign explaining why they are there, just a machine to buy food to feed them.

Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery
Tower of Memories at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery
Things to do in Cape Girardeau MO
Peacocks at Cape County Memorial Park Cemetery in Cape Girardeau.

14. Step back in time.

The Cape Girardeau area is rich in history and cultural significance. The Red House Interpretive Center is a reconstruction of the original trading post of Cape Girardeau’s founder, Louis Lorimier.

It is open May – October so we were not able to tour inside, but it’s evident from the exterior that it is a throwback to simpler days. 

Red House Interpretive Center
How about you learn something!

Overlooking the city at one of the highest points downtown is the Common Pleas Courthouse, originally built in 1854.

During the Civil War, the stately building provided a headquarters to a military police group and as a jail for disloyal locals, apprehended rebels, out-of-line Union soldiers, and anyone awaiting trial.

Historic Cape Girardeau
The Common Pleas Courthouse overlooks Cape Girardeau at one of the highest points and provides a place for Tunes at Twilight, a free Friday night concert that starts in May.

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is another place to take you back to simpler times and one of the free things to do in Cape Girardeau, MO. 

Just 30 minutes northwest of the city, you’ll find a four-story stone and brick mill that dates back to the Civil War era and Missouri’s oldest surviving covered bridge.

Trees dot the landscape and the Whitewater River flows under the Burfordville Covered Bridge which powered the mill. It’s a picturesque location that deserves a detour.

The Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is part of mostateparks.
Bollinger Mill State Historic Site is one of the most scenic spots in Missouri.

15. Hop, skip and jump from Missouri to Illinois over a really cool bridge.

The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge is an 86-foot wide cable bridge that stretches over the mighty Mississippi. Laid flat, the cables would stretch 171 miles long. We couldn’t help driving over it a few times when we were in the area.

Cape Girardeau Bridge over the Mississippi River
The Bill Emerson Memorial Bridge over the Mississippi River is especially beautiful at night when it’s all lit up.

Lodging in Cape Girardeau

We stayed at Auburn Place Hotel & Suites right off of I55 about 10 minutes from downtown Cape Girardeau. It’s in a great location, has a complimentary hot breakfast, snacks in the evening, free wifi, an indoor pool, hot tub and fitness center.

Disclaimer: Some of the links included are affiliate links, if you book through it we will receive a small commission at no additional charge to you.

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Visit Cape Girardeau

Did you visit Cape Girardeau? If not, what’s your favorite Missouri destination? Tell us in the comments below.

 

 

 

 

 

Follow Angela:

Angela E. is a travel writer from the Chicagoland area who has visited all 50 states in the US and has traveled extensively around the world. She is passionate about exploring the great outdoors and hiking in particular. Her love for nature has taken her to some of the most beautiful locations on the planet. She has written extensively about her travels on her own website, Dang Travelers, and has been published in collaboration with other travel websites and multiple visitor bureaus around the country.

31 Responses

  1. Reni - Swiss Nomads

    Hi Angela & David

    Wow! Amazing photos of a beautiful area. To be honest I’ve never heard of Cape Girardeau but your post makes me want to visit right now. The city looks very charming. I already put it on my bucket list. Definitely a must-see on our road trip around the US in about three years.

    Thanks for sharing.

    Cheers,
    Reni

    • Dang Travelers

      Thanks! It’s a quaint town in the Midwest. Missouri is often overlooked as a travel destination, but it has great cities and wonderful natural areas.

  2. Katie

    I have only ever visited Missouri briefly to see St. Louis. Cape Girardeau looks like a great little city to explore. I would love all of the eating, sipping wine and brewery hopping!

  3. Kerri

    A few of my fave things in here. Wine, beers, great food (loved those onion rings) and a whole lot of beautiful places to visit in between. Really loved the scenery around the water.

    • Dang Travelers

      Thank you, we love finding them! Since my husband has been working part-time just outside of Missouri, we’ve been exploring the area and love what we are finding!

  4. christine

    Looks like a nice, relaxing trip! I’ve never been here but I would definitely check it out.

  5. Sharmistha | That Girl's Life Stories

    Wow! such a comprehensive list – I wish I could visit Cape Girardeau! One more reason to visit the US.

  6. Nathan

    I need to do more exploring in my home country! This post and especially the photos make this place look really interesting- especially the pics of the food and beer! I’m also a fan of Gone Girl so I would definitely take that tour if I were in town!

    • Dang Travelers

      It’s easy to take your home country or state for granted, isn’t it? For the time Dave is working (1/4 of the year), we are going to explore as much of the states as we can. Then when he is off work we will try to have adventures in other countries. Gone Girl was such a good movie!

  7. Kevin Wagar

    Looks like a great town to visit! So much charm. Those onion rings look incredible, and I could definitely handle washing them down with some of that local beer.

    • Dang Travelers

      Yep, a great town indeed. We love when we can hike, drink beer, gamble and learn a little bit about history all in the same place!

  8. Kay Teeters

    Enjoyed your post- live near Cape so very familiar with most of the places you mentioned. If anyone is visiting Cape Girardeau in mid April I would highly recommend a side trip to Charleston, Mo about 30 mins. south of Cape. Our Dogwood-Azalea festival has received national recognition several times and was named #2 flower festival in the country by Fodor’s.

  9. Linda Smith

    I was born and raised in Cape and this article is spot on! Plus lots more to see and do when you are there. Hope everyone tries to put Cape on your list of places to visit.

    • Dang Travelers

      Thanks Linda! We were only there a few days and the weather didn’t cooperate the entire time so we didn’t do as much as we wanted to. Can’t wait to make it back down again. Heard the market is nice too!

  10. Jill

    Also, visit Fort D! A civil war fort that is very much intact. Or, some of the antebellum homes, or the first Methodist Church West of the Mississippi, Old Mckendree. There are several beautiful golf courses, as well.

  11. Julie Miller

    How can you talk about Cape Girardeau and not mention Pagliai’s Pizza?? I go there every time I visit my friend in Cape!!

  12. Kate

    I love this! I grew up in Cape Girardeau and getting to see it through someone else’s eyes is amazing. My grandfather used to take us to the park to feed the peacocks, until reading this it never even seemed strange to have peacock in there. My older brother convinced me that there was a giant living in the castle there. And Capaha park is a short walk from my grandparent’s house. Thank you for posting this!

    • Dang Travelers

      Giants and peacocks, I love it! We really enjoyed our time there. We hope to get back at some point for the farmers market. Heard it’s a good one!

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